Tribes: Ascend closed beta begins today

Hi-Rez Studios has announced that the Tribes: Ascend closed beta begins today for players with access. Don't fret if you're not yet in the beta, visit the official website to sign up or either purchase the Tribes: Ascend VIP Starter Bundle to gain immediate access. The developers have announced that beginning with the closed beta that character data including rank, class unlocks, and skill progression will be saved all the way through the open beta and into the final release.

Tribes: Ascend follows in the tradition of past titles in the series with the return of jetpacks and vertical based gameplay. Once released, the game will be based on the free-to-play model that is becoming quite popular among developers. The closed beta for Tribes: Ascend is available now on PC, with the full release planned for early 2012.

Tribes: Ascend Closed Beta Begins Tomorrow!
Player Progression Will Be Preserved In Beta, No Character Wipes Planned

ATLANTA. November 3, 2011. Hi-Rez Studios (www.hirezstudios.com) today confirmed that the Closed Beta for Tribes: Ascend will begin on Friday, November 4, 2011.

Studio representatives also announced that no character wipes are planned during Beta. Player advancement in terms of rank, class unlocks, and skill progression will carry forward beyond Closed Beta, into Open Beta and into Release.

Previous Tribes titles have been played by well over 1 million gamers and feature fast-paced, jetpack-enabled multiplayer combat. Tribes: Ascend continues this tradition, delivering speed, verticality, vehicles and stunning graphics within an entirely new, free-to-play game for the PC.

The Closed Beta build of Tribes: Ascend includes two initial class options - the Soldier and the Ranger, 10 additional classes available to be permanently unlocked, 3 drivable vehicles, 2 game-modes, and servers located across North America, Europe and Australia. Prior to release Hi-Rez will also support Ranked Servers and Private Servers.

"Compared to Alpha, Tribes: Ascend enters Beta with even more unlockable classes, a skill & perk system, and additional projectile-based weapons” said Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer. “And we plan to deliver new playable maps and classes after Beta and even after Release. Our dev team is excited to reintroduce such a fast-paced, team-based shooter and we are looking forward to playing alongside the Beta community.”

Those wishing to guarantee a Closed Beta spot may purchase the Tribes: Ascend VIP Starter Bundle at the game’s official website. The bundle includes automatic admission into Beta, permanent VIP status in the game, a 30-day Booster and 3000 Tribes Gold. The VIP Starter Bundle is priced at a 33% discount to list price, as a reward to the game’s early testers.
Additional information can be found in the online FAQ.

About Hi-Rez Studios
Hi-Rez Studios, Inc, located just outside of Atlanta GA, was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment. In February 2010 the company released the squad-based Shooter-MMO Global Agenda. Hi-Rez is currently developing other AAA free-to-play online games including Tribes: Ascend and SMITE. For more information, contact press@hirezstudios.com or visit www.hirezstudios.com.